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Description

Adult and juvenile northern gannets.

The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is a large seabird in the family sulidae. Its size can range from 35 to 39 in (88 cm to 1 m long), with a wingspan of 65 to 71 in (165 cm to 180 cm). Its body is covered with white feathers, except for the tip of the wings, which is black. A delicate yellow color covers the head and neck during the breeding season.

The Northern Gannet is a pelagic bird, which means it lives on the open sea, and it only comes ashore for nesting. This is the time when it will form colonies that usually gather on high spots. Good at gliding, the Northern Gannet spots shoals of fish during its flight and dives, sometimes as deep as 20 or 23 ft (6 or 7 m), to catch its prey.